FUZHOU: Two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan suffered a shock defeat at the hands of unheralded Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth in the final of the China Open on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Srikanth, who grew up idolising the five-time world champion, took 46 minutes to defeat Lin 21-19, 21-17 in the men’s singles final for his first Super Series title.

Cheered by a vociferous crowd, Lin rallied to go up 19-17 in the first game but the Indian won four consecutive points to snatch lead.

Srikanth continued to put the 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medallist under pressure in the second game and converted his second match point to complete a comprehensive victory.

It turned out a day of double delight for India as London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal earlier won the women’s singles title by beating Japanese teenager Akane Yamaguchi in the final.

Eighteen-year-old Yamaguchi has had a fairytale tournament, knocking out top seed Wang Shixian in the second round before defeating South Korean fifth seed Bae Yeon-Ju in the semis to claim her place in the final.

But Nehwal, 24, proved too much for the rising star as the world number five secured a 21-12, 22-20 victory in 42 minutes.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2014